Ever been in a public place and found yourself guessing which people work in IT simply because of how they're dressed, how they look, or the accessories (backpack) they're holding? I've found myself doing that recently while on the train and walking through the train station. Plenty of folks have vendor-specific backpacks (SW swag, anyone?) or just simply "look like they work in IT." It dawned on me that 1) We're an easy group to spot and 2) I don't "look the part". I don't carry anything but a lunchbox to/from work, as we do not have laptops, and I do not believe I carry the "air of IT" about me. Anyone else out there try to guess which people are IT, besides those that you already know of? If someone were to guess, would they be able to pin you as an IT person?

Well, since I do my hair, have good hygiene, shave regularly don't have a pen protector, don't wear glasses held together by tape (or any glasses at all), and don't wear a USB flash drive around my neck (aka geek bling), I don't think I look the typical part. =)

For a long time you'd never know what profession I worked in. Most cops thought I was either living off of an inherited fortune (if only) or a drug dealer. However recently the boss made us all get company polo shirts which gives the game away... that and the branded company van. My colleagues however all carry around some vendor branded swag. The line manager won a Wick Hill laptop carry/travel ruck sack thingy. He also tends to wear Watchguard branded swag a lot... until the introduction of company shirts.

If we could role back time about 3 months I'd just be a guy driving around in his Range Rover ;D during rush hour.

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I, too, tend to pigeon-hole persons based on their appearance. But, no one takes me for IT until they've talked with me for a while. I even get a few I don't believe you's when I tell them what I do. It's fun to confuse and confound!

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Unless I'm wearing one of my company polos and the weather is warm enough to not need a jacket, I highly doubt people would be able to peg me as an IT guy. I think I actually prefer it this way, as the less people that bother me, the happier I am.

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Most days I look like I'm in a biker gang (facial hair, covered in tattoos, non-politically correct at all times). When I'm not at work I refuse to talk about anything tech related and I keep it a well hidden fact I am in IT.

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In my IT group, I think there is three people out of eight that 'look' like they might be in IT. The rest of us are all 'normal' looking. I don't get asked if I work in IT. In our group, we talk some tech, but politics and firearms seem to rule the majority of non-work topics.

But, I do find myself wondering about what some people do when I'm out and about.

In my IT group, I think there is three people out of eight that 'look' like they might be in IT. The rest of us are all 'normal' looking. I don't get asked if I work in IT. In our group, we talk some tech, but politics and firearms seem to rule the majority of non-work topics.

But, I do find myself wondering about what some people do when I'm out and about.

I feel bad but when I see people that look like they are in IT, my mind screams NERD in Ogre's voice, and then I sigh and cry a but realizing I am in IT.

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In my IT group, I think there is three people out of eight that 'look' like they might be in IT. The rest of us are all 'normal' looking. I don't get asked if I work in IT. In our group, we talk some tech, but politics and firearms seem to rule the majority of non-work topics.

But, I do find myself wondering about what some people do when I'm out and about.

I feel bad but when I see people that look like they are in IT, my mind screams NERD in Ogre's voice, and then I sigh and cry a but realizing I am in IT.

Jeans, polo shirts, work boots... I really don't stand out of the crowd too much.

I don't necessarily do this but I find myself when i'm out and about scoping out every buildings cable work and dissecting it and thinking about what i could do to make it better.

I do carry a flash drive around with me but it's in my pocket along with my key fob on my school lanyard which is a technical college. I'm occasionally out in public with my work t-shirt and name badge on. But other than that i think most people just probably think "hey that dude likes baseball and comic books way too much"

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I believe I am pretty normal looking and it would be indeterminable what i do for a living while outside of work. And as far as going into work, I probably look like a traveling salesman, Polo, slacks, laptop bag. I absolutely do not do the USB on the lanyard around the neck thing.

I'm pretty sure I don't fit any part of anything.... ever. Ride the bike to work when the roads are dry, don't really carry anything or have any visible accessories, run by the hardware or auto parts store at lunch or after work sometimes, wear black jeans, dress shoes, and button-down shirt, and only drink water at work with a sparsely "decorated" office. I was thinking about how weird I must be the other day as I got home from work and started hanging the last of the drywall in the stairs with computer problems still on my mind.

I have noticed a few others that fit the stereotype, but it's pretty damn obvious.